Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko won't make the trip with his teammates to play Portland Saturday because of a lower back inflammation. Kirilenko injured his back in the last five minutes of Thursday's practice.
He'll undergo more examinations today. It's unknown how long he'll be out.
Kirilenko averaged 11 points and 6.7 rebounds against the Trail Blazers in the three games the teams have played this season. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he won't decide who he'll start in Kirilenko's place until after Saturday's shootaround.
Guard C.J. Miles got his first start of the year when Kirilenko couldn't play against Boston on Dec. 29 because of a strained biceps muscle.
Miles played 23 minutes in that 104-98 loss, shooting 4-of-8 and finishing with 11 points, two rebounds, two steals and an assist. He is averaging 5.7 points and 12.2 minutes this season.
Kirilenko's absence probably means more minutes for newcomer Kyle Korver as well, although Sloan said he isn't sure what rotation he'll use with Kirilenko unavailable to play.
"I don't know where we'll play him or how we'll play him," Sloan said. "We still have to figure out what we're doing with some of the other guys and see what we can accomplish there and see how they play."
Korver is averaging 12.5 points and 14.5 minutes
in his first two games with the Jazz. He scored 11 points against the Blazers in his first game with the Jazz.
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